Regardless of which way Governor Patrick is leaning, however, procedural hurdles remain.

Both the Massachusetts House and Senate have now passed a bill to change to the state’s election laws. The bill grants the governor the ability to appoint a temporary replacement to occupy Kennedy’s seat until the state can hold a special election in January.

But Massachusetts law dictates that a bill does not become law until 90 days after the governor signs it.

But in Wednesday’s House vote, the bill’s proponents failed to get the necessary two-thirds margin to approve emergency status.

This means Patrick will have to sign a letter declaring it an emergency, says state Senate President Therese Murray. The governor’s aides declined to say whether Patrick had drafted such a letter, the Associated Press reports.